Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Panasonic’s smart microwave works with Alexa

Panasonic joins the pack of other microwave manufacturers by releasing a new model that works with Alexa during CES 2022. Users can connect the Panasonic Smart Inverter Countertop Microwave Oven, Works with Alexa (NN-SV79MS) to an Alexa-enabled smart speaker, and issue commands, at will.

What makes this microwave so smart? Well, when you connect it to a smart speaker, such as an Echo or Echo Dot, you can tell the microwave to do over 100 things. Tell Alexa to make popcorn or reheat your tea and the microwave will do it. Set up should be fairly straightforward using the zero-touch setup (we’re thinking this is done all through the Alexa app) or 2D code setup (typically, that’s scanning a QR code). While you don’t need to connect the microwave to Alexa for it to work, you can’t use the commands feature if it’s not connected.

How does it work as a microwave?

Panasonic microwave that works with Alexa.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The unit is fairly compact (measuring just slightly under 13 by 20.5 by 17.3 inches), so it will fit well on a countertop or in a dorm room. The microwave sports many of the standard features expected including 10 power levels, standard cooking settings (popcorn, 30-second reheat, and Turbo Defrost, which avoids cooking the edges of food when defrosting items), Stop/Reset, and Timer/Clock. Panasonic’s Genius Sensor is what sets this model apart from other microwaves. Select from 20 pre-programmed foods (oatmeal, melt butter, potatoes, etc.) and the microwave will measure the food’s humidity and calculate the necessary cooking time needed.

Like other Alexa-enabled smart microwaves, having the ability to tell Alexa to start a microwave can come in handy while you’re cooking, just like asking Alexa for a measurement conversion is helpful, but it’s not the reason to buy it. What really matters is if it’s a solid microwave that won’t let you down.

The Panasonic NN-SV79MS smart microwave is now available at Best Buy and Amazon, where it retails for $300.

Editors' Recommendations

Joni Blecher
Joni Blecher has been reviewing consumer tech products since before cell phones had color screens. She loves testing products…
What to do if your Amazon Alexa app is not working
Alexa app on phone.

If you use Amazon Alexa and its quit responding to you, you may have realized by now that there are a ton of thing that could be causing that problem. One big issue is that the Amazon Alexa app itself has potentially shut down communication with you. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the all of the possibilities, letting your Amazon Echo devices sit there useless, and feeling despair, try an ordered list of potential fixes to get things started.

While there are a lot of different reasons for an Alexa to quite responding, if you go through the following techniques one by one, you'll certainly get a resolution to any problems you might be having with the Alexa app. We'll walk you through everything from updating your Alexa device to contacting Amazon for advanced help if no simple fix will work.
Check for a software update

Read more
How to convert your window blinds into smart blinds

Smart homes are more popular than ever, with companies like Google, Amazon, Ring, Arlo, and other big brands churning out new products at regular intervals. Most people have heard of smart displays and smart light bulbs -- but smart blinds are yet to gain the same traction as these other categories.

However, smart blinds can become an integral part of any smart home. Along with giving you an easy way to manipulate your shades, they can help you save money by allowing (or limiting) light to enter your home and moderate its temperature.

Read more
Home Depot’s Hubspace is a great way to start building your smart home
The Hubspace app shown in front of a living room.

Building a smart home can be intimidating. Not only do you have to figure out which products are best for your needs, but you also need to set them up using an accompanying mobile app and sync them with the rest of your gadgets. It's all a bit confusing for smart home newcomers -- but Home Depot has largely streamlined the process with its Hubspace platform.

Billed as a "smart home platform that makes smart home products easy to set up and control," it sounds like a great fit for smart home newbies. And after going hands-on with a few products in its growing lineup, I can say it definitely hits all the right notes.
Streamlined and simple

Read more